Invisalign – Columbus, OH
Achieve Your Dream Smile Without the Metal
Have you been daydreaming about a beautiful smile? One that’s straight and gives you the confidence to smile at everyone you meet? Then stop dreaming and start straightening today with Invisalign clear aligners! Dr. Angela Courtney is proud to offer this discreet, reliable, and effective orthodontic treatment at our Columbus dental office. If you want to learn more about the teeth-straightening process, you can give us a call or read on!
How Invisalign Works
If you're ready to make the most of your smile, the first step is talking with Dr. Courtney about Invisalign clear aligners. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your smile goals, and provide a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and bite to determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then a 3D image is then rendered, which we will use to map out your personalized treatment plan and show you a virtual photo of how your teeth will look after. Your Invisalign clear aligners will then be fabricated through an authorized lab.
Once your orthodontic treatment officially begins, you’ll need to wear each aligner in the series as directed by Dr. Courtney, which is approximately two weeks. After 14 days, you’ll move onto the next aligner in the series. This process will repeat until your teeth have moved into their properly aligned positions, which is usually between 12 and 18 months.
Who Invisalign Can Help
Patients often assume that Invisalign is so popular because it’s significantly more discreet than traditional braces. While that’s certainly true, it’s also remained a sought-after orthodontic treatment because it’s versatile! Over the years, it’s helped patients with the following:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth are quite common, and they can lead to everything from low self-esteem to an increased risk of tooth decay. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with Dr. Courtney to discuss your treatment options, like Invisalign! With the clear aligners, we can guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions without drawing unwanted attention to your smile with metal brackets and wires.
Gaps Between Teeth
What if your teeth are spaced out? Whether there are several small spaces throughout your smile or one large gap between your two front teeth, the next step is the same: schedule a consultation with our Columbus dental team! There’s a good chance that you’re a candidate for Invisalign, which means the road to your dream smile will be metal-free.
Bite Alignment
Do your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower ones? Maybe the opposite is true: your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones. Either way, you should take a look at your treatment options before you’re dealing with chronic jaw pain, premature wear and tear, and other common consequences of misaligned bites.
Benefits of Invisalign
To date, more than 17 million patients have chosen Invisalign. If you’re wondering why, there isn’t just one reason; there are several! Below, you will find a few of the many perks that come with clear aligner treatment.
Basically Invisible Braces
Instead of using noticeable, metal brackets and wires to move your teeth into proper alignment, Invisalign uses clear, custom-made aligners. As a result, you won’t have to wait until the end of your orthodontic treatment to smile confidently. In fact, unless they know what to look for, even those closest to you likely won’t notice your braces!
No Soft Tissue Irritation
In addition to being clear and custom, Invisalign aligners are crafted from smooth, low-profile plastic. This means you won’t have to deal with sores or abrasions during your teeth-straightening journey. Plus, if any discomfort arises from the movement of your teeth, you can sip on cool water, use a cold compress, or take OTC pain medication to quickly alleviate your symptoms!
There Aren’t Any Dietary Restrictions
Another considerable benefit of Invisalign: you don’t have to alter your diet because the aligners are removable! Just do your best not to over-indulge on cavity-causing foods and to drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dry mouth. Also, it’s crucial that you take your trays off before eating to prevent discoloration and damage (putting them in their designated case is best).
The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter
While traditional braces usually take between two and three years to deliver results, Invisalign usually takes between 12 and 18 months. So, you can see why clear aligners are so popular among patients who have an important event on the horizon, like their wedding! The best way to get an estimate of your treatment timeline is by scheduling a consultation so we can learn all about your dental needs and goals.
Brushing and Flossing Are Easy
Since traditional braces are bonded in place, patients need to work around them to keep their smiles healthy. With Invisalign, brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are easy because the aligners are removable! All you have to do is take them out beforehand. Then, when you’re done, clean them with a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid before putting them back on.
There Are Fewer Follow-Up Visits
Not only is Invisalign a smile-enhancing solution that usually doesn’t require 3+ years of your time, but there are no monthly adjustment appointments. Instead, patients are expected to come to our office every 6-8 weeks so we can monitor their progress. Oftentimes, these visits are less than 30 minutes, too. To put it simply, you’ll spend considerably less time in the treatment chair overall.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Since there are several factors that play a role in the price, we cannot provide you with an accurate estimate online. With that said, Dr. Courtney will give you an answer at your consultation. Not only that, but our Columbus dental team will discuss all of the financial solutions available, like CareCredit. That way, understanding and navigating the cost is stress-free instead of stressful.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
As we mentioned above, the cost of your Invisalign treatment will be provided during your consultation with Dr. Courtney once she has a chance to determine:
- If any preliminary treatments are needed
- If single-arch treatment is possible
- How many aligners are needed to straighten your teeth
- If rubber bands or any other orthodontic accessories are needed
Please keep in mind that these are just a few of the factors that will impact the cost upfront. It is possible for there to be additional fees down the line if you consistently lose or break your aligners, causing you to fall off-track with your treatment plan.
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
If you’ve seen the advertisements for mail-in aligners, then you know that their messaging centers largely around how affordable they are. While the upfront cost is usually lower than Invisalign, it’s often because they are cutting corners. For example, many of these alternatives skip the initial exam, ask you to take your own impressions, and don’t have licensed dental professionals on-staff. So, while they are cheaper, they certainly aren’t better.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Good news: many dental insurance plans do include a once-in-a-lifetime orthodontic benefit. So, if you are insured, take a look at the fine print on yours! Since our team works with several popular providers, including Delta Dental, Aetna Dental, and Cigna, we can help as well. Just provide us with your membership information so we can review your benefits and provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Then ask us about Invisalign financing in Columbus! With trusted third-party financiers like CareCredit, you can space out the cost of your clear aligner treatment into smaller monthly chunks instead. One of the best parts is that many of their payment plans have little-to-no interest attached, which makes it an even better solution for your wallet. If you’d like further details, or you want to know where to sign up, simply give us a call.